All NOMAD Saunas are hand-built in Minneapolis

WOOD

  • We use Clear Grade Western Red Cedar on our 12' and smaller units.

    Our larger units we use Clear Grade Redwood. This lumber has significant thermal mass with a width of 1.5”

    • Aesthetic appeal

      Clear grade Western red cedar has a fine, straight grain and uniform texture that can add elegance and sophistication to a project. 

    • Durability

      Western red cedar is naturally resistant to decay, moisture, and insect damage. It's also less likely to crack and warp than treated lumber. 

    • Dimensional stability

      Western red cedar has excellent dimensional stability, meaning it retains its shape well and shrinks and expands minimally in response to moisture changes. 

    • Insulation

      Western red cedar is a good insulator due to its low density and cellular structure. 

    • Sustainability

      Western red cedar is sourced from responsibly managed forests and has a smaller carbon footprint than synthetic materials. 

    • Fire safety

      Western red cedar often exceeds minimum safety classifications for flame spread and smoke-development ratings. 

    • Lightweight and economical

      Western red cedar is lightweight and durable offering a great application for Barrel Saunas

    • Full length Staves = No glue-ups

    • Custom cut staves for each barrel on top (fit)

  • We use 1.5” minimum in all of our products.

    • The thickness and type of wood dictates the natural thermal protection + insulating properties your sauna will have. Anything under 1.5” the wood will not hold up over time

    • In colder climates, wood with a thickness of 1” or less will not hold or retain enough heat to reach and maintain optimal temperatures for sustained periods of time. If you’re in a climate that sees a lot of rain this is also a very important consideration.

  • Exterior: There are 2 options for exterior finish:

    1. Natural Wood: finished with a natural exterior finish. The oil helps the wood stay fresh and beautiful for years to come.

    2. Custom Yakisugi: We are the first and only barrel sauna builder that offers an authentic Yakisugi treated exterior. This is a traditional Japanese method of treating wood which increases the “R" value (insulating value), protects against insects and water, and looks absolutely stunning. This process involves us torching the wood (yes, we get to use flamethrowers!) and brushing on an oil finish. Many companies paint their units black and will even do so with a texture to imply a Yakisugi finish. Painted applications impersonating this lack the benefits of the authentic process. Buyer beware.

    Interior: The interior finish for all of our saunas are natural and uncoated. Options of a chemical free floor treatment are available upon request

HEAT

  • Depending on how you often or how long you like to sauna, stove selection is important. Choose between either an electric stove or a wood fired stove in our units. Just remember, you want the stove that can supply optimal heating. Thats should be the most important factor in deciding which to use.

    Whether electric or wood fired, our units can heat up to over 200 degrees on a subzero day in about an hour.

  • When selecting a stove you want to look at the recommended cubic footage the stove can heat. Typically when choosing you want to be in the middle or the low end of what the stove is recommended to heat up. This will ensure the stove is not overstressed and heat up time is drastically reduced.

  • Look at the quality and longevity of the stove you are buying. Steel is expensive, Cheap stoves may not have thick walls that will hold up to heavy use. Some stoves sold in kits will not hit optimal temps above 170F

Glass

  • Both our half-moon and full glass overlooks are 1/2" tempered glass.

  • We’ve driven some of our mobile versions over 37k miles this past year and all the components, including the glass, have stood up perfectly.

  • The glass overlook is a large portion of your wall and as such it needs to ensure that the inside of the unit stays hot no matter how cold it is outside.

Mobility

  • Our DROP-DOWN trailers are custom built to meet our durability and safety requirements.

    • 360º custom lowering system

    • Full suspension offering a smooth ride and easy tow